Following the government's defeat in the Th. Gaadhiffushi election, land reclamation efforts have been halted and equipment is being demobilized from the island
Following MDP's clean sweep of all seats in the Th. Gaadhiffushi Council election, equipment mobilized for the island's land reclamation project is reportedly being withdrawn. Residents claim that the suspension of the project, which is contracted to MTCC, and the subsequent gathering of machinery at the harbor area is a retaliatory move by the government to intimidate the community following the ruling party's electoral defeat.
Equipment mobilized for Gaadhiffushi land reclamation project being withdrawn. | Social Media | Social Media
Following the government's significant defeat in the recent council elections in Th. Gaadhiffushi, the machinery and resources mobilized for the island's land reclamation project have begun to be withdrawn.
The agreement for the Th. Gaadhiffushi land reclamation project was signed with the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) during the current administration. Residents of the island informed this publication that reclamation work was actively carried out in the lead-up to the recent elections.
Although the Th. Gaadhiffushi Council is currently under the control of the People’s National Congress (PNC), the party failed to secure a single seat in the council elections. The newly elected council consists entirely of candidates from the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). The successful candidates include Mohamed Muaz, who was elected as Council President, along with members Mohamed Hassan and Zulekha Ahmed.
A local source reported that efforts are underway to withdraw personnel from the site following the PNC's failure to secure the council seat. The source further noted that preparations are being made to remove equipment, including floodlights used for nighttime land reclamation and other essential machinery.
"What we are seeing here is the distribution of goods in exchange for votes. These items were brought in just a day before the election. Now that they have lost, they are taking them back," he said.
Another local source reported that the People's National Congress (PNC) had issued threats following their electoral defeat in the island, stating that the equipment brought in for the land reclamation project would be sent back. He further noted that the machinery is indeed being removed in line with those threats. According to the source, the equipment has already been gathered at the harbor area for transport.
The land reclamation project for Th. Gaadhiffushi has been awarded to the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC). Valued at MVR 110,455,574.40, the contract is scheduled to be completed within 540 days.
The primary scope of this project includes the reclamation of 10 hectares of land (utilizing 390,701 cubic meters of sand), the construction of a 100-meter rock boulder breakwater, the installation of 704 meters of rock boulder revetment, and the development of a 100-meter groin.
